(Prize will go to the winner of judge's sponsored category. For example, Leigh's prize goes to the winner of Best Tragedy, Mark's prize goes to winner of Best Comic Relief, etc.)

Leigh is offering: A Paperback Copy of "Save The Cat," by Blake Snyder!Morgan is offering: A full manuscript critique!

Cassie Mae is offering: $25 Amazon Gift Card

Mark is offering: a $25 Hawaiian care package (incl. $5 USPS Priority Shipping) Winner can choose from any number of small items such as candy, trinkets, Kona Coffee, etc.

Now all you have to do is get your name in the linky and throw a button on your blog! (At least, we'd love it if you put a button on your blog!) This is going to be so much fun! Can't wait to read your entry!

Monday, June 18, 2012

I’ve never had a story come out of me so easily or had one
that feels more “right.” You know when that excitement draws you to the page, and
you grin like a goof staring at the computer screen because you know all the
pieces fit? And you feel this crazy energy itching underneath your skin that
makes you jumpy day and night because you know this story is for you?

I didn’t have this with my last book. I’ve mentioned this
before, but I wrote Westridge because it was the story that needed to be
written. *So* I could write this new one, I believe.

I’ve been immersing myself in plot books, and feel like I’m finally getting a grasp of being on top of the structure of the story, where
before that was a big weakness for me. I didn’t realize how much I was pantsing
it. It’s nice to finally find a flow, to not only have a grasp of my favorite
side of writing, which is words… but to solidify the base, and pacing of it all
so the words can shine.

It’s been since my first book where I’ve been wholly and
totally obsessed with getting the words on paper. I think I’ve trained myself
to write in short bursts, flipping in and out my story like a switch---necessary
with four kids in the summertime, where they’re needing constant attention. But
now it’s been SO HARD to tear myself away long enough to write this blog post.

I’m immersed. And it’s such a great place.

The point of this scattered post? (Because really, I didn’t
execute it well at all, ironic enough) Is that I do feel my first two books
exist *so* I can write this book. I love those moments in life when you can
look back, and know why you went through things. You can see the pieces and how
they fit together.

I think writing is a long, intricate, fascinating process.
Do you feel “destined” to write certain stories? Where you know everything has
lined up in your life just so you can create the tale that needs to be told? Or
do you think everything is a conscious choice? Where there are no coincidences?

I know, deep questions. If it’s too much, you can just tell
me how your WIP is doing. Hope all you June NaNo’s are doing well!

Red. Head. Out. :D

**Oh! And a huge shout out to Elise Fallson for her kind award to me last week ;)

***And you MUST check out Stephen Tremp's site today! His book, BREAKTHROUGH, is FREE on Amazon today and tomorrow!

Monday, June 11, 2012

Let me tell you. I’m still exhausted.Leigh Covington and Cassie Mae are two of the most
hilarious, entertaining, better-than-caffeine writer/blogger gals on the
planet. Sitting between these two for dinner was quite the experience!

For all of my writer friends, let me say this: Pack your
bags, load up the car, and move your families here to Utah, because I’m blown
away by the talent and supportive group of writers here. It’s mad!

…which eases us into…

A big thank you.

Pleeeeeease forgive me, but I’m about to get all cheesy:

The support I’ve found in this writer/blogger community has
been astounding. To copy what Donna King Weaver said in some post that I can’t
remember this past week (lol) : “Writing used to be a very solitary hobby, but
thanks to technology, it isn’t so much anymore.” ßAnd that isn’t an exact
quote, but she said something along those lines. ;)

Yes, there is the bad that comes from the pressure of having
an online profile, but the real life support waaaaay outweighs the negative in
my opinion. It’s such a neat thing when people band together, lift each other
up, spend hours on a beta read, and root each other on—especially when it can
be a very competitive business.

One of these days, I’d like to link/list everyone and do one
big shout out, just to let all of you know you’re loved, but… yeah.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

There’s all this talk in the writing world about writing to
the trends… Do people really do this? I can’t imagine sitting down and putting
so much effort into writing something just because it’s what’s hot.

I’d like to say I have faith in my writing ability and could
write anything, but the truth is I can only write what’s in my soul at the
time. Writing to trends kind of reminds me of Jr. high/high School… with
dressing to impress. At first thought, I’d say I never cared, but I have to
secretly admit, when I got my first pair of scrubs (which were a big fad in 9th
grade) I felt pretty special.

<----Cool, right?

With my first two novels, I had no thought to what was “hot”
at all. But the other day when I received input from an agent that said, “For
whatever reason, I’ve been struggling with this sort of Urban Fantasy since
last year and I’ve got a couple of unsold projects in a similar vein.” It made
me realize that trends matter.

I want to write something that will sell.

And what’s funny is that I feel all this pressure to get my
new novel done… because I feel like it could be the “next new thing.” I
shouldn’t care, all that matters is that I write the story I know needs to be
written and to do it well, but when you’re trying to go the traditional
publishing route, you do need to be aware of trends. So yeah, I guess I feel a
little bit of “peer pressure” just like I did in 9th grade to be
sporting the new thing.

But on the other hand, I also think regardless of trends, if
the story’s good enough, well, great enough
(Because in this market, “good” isn’t good enough anymore), anything will sell.

Do you feel pressure to write what agents/editors are
looking for? Have you ever written something for the sake of salability? Or are
you totally indifferent to what’s hot or not?